C1. JFK's presidency Flashcards
The presidential election of 1960 and reasons for Kennedy’s victory; the policies and personalities of the Kennedy administration; the ideas behind the ‘New Frontier’ (171 cards)
1
Q
What was Kennedy’s campaign slogan?
A
The Time for Greatness
2
Q
What year was Kennedy elected?
A
1960
3
Q
Which fellow Democrats did JFK emphasize his link with?
A
FDR, Harry Truman, and Woodrow Wilson
4
Q
Name some physical differences between Nixon and Kennedy in their debate.
A
Kennedy was tanned, tall, wore a blue shirt and jacket that stood out on black-and-white TV.
5
Q
Give some physical appearances of Nixon in the debate.
A
He was pale, looked sick and tired after campaigning, had a leg injury that caused a crooked stance, and wore a suit that blended into the background.
6
Q
Whose political model did JFK learn from when he suggested decreasing taxes?
A
Eisenhower’s “Dynamic Conservatism”
7
Q
What time period did Kennedy focus on in his campaign?
A
The future
8
Q
Where did Kennedy finish his campaign?
A
Florida
9
Q
How many more votes did JFK gain from the TV debate?
A
3 million
10
Q
Why did Eisenhower advise Nixon not to debate Kennedy?
A
Because it visually portrayed JFK as Nixon’s equal and put them side-by-side on TV, making them seem evenly matched
11
Q
How was Kennedy seen before the debate?
A
Young and inexperienced
12
Q
Was Kennedy actually inexperienced?
A
Arguably not—he had served as a senator in Congress
13
Q
How did Nixon sound during the debate?
A
Authoritative and intelligent, but technocratic and less warm or clear than JFK
14
Q
Give three quotes from The Making of the President about Nixon in the debate.
A
“Tense, almost frightened”
15
Q
What moment in civil rights history did JFK emphasize in his campaign to secure the Black vote?
A
His call to Coretta Scott King to help her husband, Martin Luther King Jr., be released after the Greensboro sit-ins.
16
Q
How did JFK’s vice president help him in election
A
LBJ balanced the ticket by contrasting JFK’s youth and idealism with experience and helped win the South, as JFK was from the North.
17
Q
What were two concerns the general public had about JFK’s father?
A
He supported Nazi appeasement and was feared to be buying the presidency.
18
Q
How did JFK overcome concerns about his father?
A
He made light of the situation with jokes, especially to the press.
19
Q
Did JFK get on with the press?
A
Yes
20
Q
How did JFK respond to concerns about his Catholicism?
A
He said no one asked his religion when he fought in WWII and assured the public his first loyalty was to the U.S., not Rome.
21
Q
How did JFK use his youthfulness to his advantage?
A
He emphasized getting the country moving again and contrasted himself with Eisenhower’s age.
22
Q
What did JFK call Eisenhower in private?
A
“That old asshole”
23
Q
What did Eisenhower call JFK in private?
A
“That young whippersnapper”
24
Q
What demographic did JFK acknowledge in his New Frontier speech that Eisenhower ignored?
A
The poor
25
What did Eisenhower prioritize over promoting Nixon in the 1960 election?
Defending himself from JFK’s criticisms
26
When JFK said 17 million Americans went to bed hungry nightly, what did Eisenhower say?
“They must all be dieting”
27
What economic factor during Eisenhower’s term hurt Nixon’s chances in the 1960 election?
The 1960 recession caused by federal spending cuts
28
What claim did Eisenhower refuse to refute that arguably cost Nixon the presidency?
The missile gap
29
Why didn’t Nixon allow Eisenhower to campaign for him until October 1960?
He wanted to appear as his own man
30
What did one Chicago mayor say about Nixon’s appearance in the debate?
“My God! They’ve embalmed him before he even died.”
31
What did Eisenhower do after Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested following the Atlanta sit-ins?
Nothing
32
How did Nixon lose the Southern vote?
The man he wanted as vice president demanded a Black member in Nixon’s Cabinet
33
Why could Kennedy not be too radical?
He had won the presidency by a very narrow margin.
34
Did JFK serve in World War II?
Yes
35
What happened when JFK saved himself and his crewmates in WWII?
A Japanese destroyer rammed his ship; Kennedy rescued several crewmates and swam from island to island until he found friendly natives. He carved a message on a coconut shell for them to deliver to his naval base for rescue.
36
What personal connection did JFK have to WWII beyond his own service?
His brother died in the war
37
What was the name of JFK’s vision that shaped his politics in the 1960s?
The New Frontier
38
What did LBJ turn JFK’s New Frontier into?
The Great Society
39
When did JFK announce his New Frontier vision?
July 1960 at the Democratic National Convention
40
Give a famous quote from JFK’s New Frontier speech.
“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
41
How many construction jobs were created by Kennedy's Housing Act?
420,000
42
What was the new minimum wage raised to?
1.25
43
How much money did the increased minimum wage put in workers' pockets?
$175 million
44
How much more money was spent on welfare benefits?
$200 million
45
How many children benefited from the increased welfare?
750000
46
How much money was spent on unemployment benefits?
$780 million
47
How many unemployed Americans did the increased unemployment benefits help?
3 million
48
How did tax cuts help fund New Frontier spending?
They stimulated investment and spending, which created more jobs
49
What did the 1962 Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act do?
Established standards for work hours and safety
50
How did the 1961 Fair Labor Standards Act help young people?
It created jobs and training, curbed underpay in service and retail, and protected almost 2.2 million jobs
51
How much were Social Security benefits increased by?
0.2
52
What did the School Lunch Act do?
Provided free lunches and milk for poor school children
53
How many people were fed by the food stamp program?
250,000 (a quarter of a million)
54
How did Kennedy help retired people?
Expanded federal retirement benefits
55
How many more Americans were covered by the extension of the benefits system?
5 million
56
What was the name of Kennedy's proposed universal healthcare bill for the elderly?
Medicare
57
Who was president when Medicare was implemented?
LBJ
58
Which act vaccinated millions of children from 1963?
Social Security Act of 1963
59
What proportion of New Frontier legislation had an educational focus?
One third
60
What did the 1963 Vocational Education Act do?
Increased vocational training, expanded scholarships and student loans
61
What educational TV initiative did Kennedy attempt to expand in 1962?
Educational Television Facilities Act
62
How much did Kennedy spend on housing?
$3.19 billion
63
Urban renewal grants rose from $2 million to what amount?
$4 million
64
How many new homes were constructed under Kennedy?
100,000
65
When was the Clean Air Act passed?
1963
66
What did Kennedy do with regard to National Parks?
Expanded the National Parks system
67
What did Kennedy do to funding for water pollution prevention?
Doubled it
68
What did Kennedy establish in December 1961, influenced by Jackie Kennedy?
Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
69
Who chaired the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women?
Eleanor Roosevelt
70
What did the 1963 report *American Woman* highlight?
Workplace discrimination
71
What did the *American Woman* report recommend?
Paid maternity leave, affordable childcare, and fair hiring practices
72
When was the Equal Pay Act signed into law?
Jun-63
73
Was the Equal Pay Act signed before or after the *American Woman* report?
Before
74
How many women reclaimed pay under the Equal Pay Act over the next 10 years?
171000
75
What major bill was introduced in 1963?
A civil rights bill
76
Who passed the Civil Rights Bill introduced in 1963?
LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson)
77
How much additional funding did the Kennedy administration allocate to NASA?
$9 billion
78
What was the purpose of the NASA funding?
To put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s
79
How many astronauts were safely put into space during the Kennedy presidency?
Six
80
Who was the first American in space?
Alan Shepard
81
How many construction jobs were created by Kennedy's Housing Act?
420000
82
What was the new minimum wage under JFK?
1.25
83
How much did the minimum wage increase put into workers’ pockets?
$175 million
84
How much additional money was spent on welfare benefits?
$200 million
85
How many children benefited from increased welfare spending?
750000
86
How much money was spent on unemployment benefits?
$780 million
87
How many unemployed Americans were helped by the increased benefits?
3 million
88
How did tax cuts help fund New Frontier spending?
They stimulated investment and created more jobs
89
What did the 1962 Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act do?
Established standards for work hours and workplace safety
90
How did the 1961 Fair Labor Standards Act help young people?
It created jobs and training, reduced underpayment in service and retail, and protected nearly 2.2 million jobs
91
By how much were Social Security benefits increased?
0.2
92
What did the School Lunch Act do?
Provided free lunches and milk to poor schoolchildren
93
How many people were fed by the food stamp program?
250,000 (a quarter of a million)
94
How did Kennedy support retired people?
Expanded federal retirement benefits
95
How many additional Americans were covered by extended benefits?
5 million
96
What was the name of Kennedy’s proposed healthcare bill for the elderly?
Medicare
97
Who was president when Medicare was implemented?
Lyndon B. Johnson
98
Which act vaccinated millions of children starting in 1963?
Social Security Act of 1963
99
What proportion of New Frontier legislation focused on education?
One third
100
What did the 1963 Vocational Education Act do?
Increased vocational training and expanded scholarships and student loans
101
What was the purpose of the 1962 Educational Television Facilities Act?
To expand access to educational television
102
How much did Kennedy spend on housing?
$3.19 billion
103
How much did urban renewal grants increase from and to?
From $2 million to $4 million
104
How many new homes were constructed under Kennedy?
100000
105
When was the Clean Air Act passed?
1963
106
What did Kennedy do to the National Parks system?
He expanded it
107
What did Kennedy do about water pollution funding?
Doubled it
108
What commission did Kennedy establish in December 1961 influenced by Jackie Kennedy?
Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
109
Who chaired the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women?
Eleanor Roosevelt
110
What did the 1963 report *American Woman* highlight?
Workplace discrimination
111
What did the *American Woman* report recommend?
Paid maternity leave, affordable childcare, and fair hiring practices
112
When was the Equal Pay Act signed into law?
Jun-63
113
Was the Equal Pay Act passed before or after the *American Woman* report?
Before
114
How many women reclaimed pay due to the Equal Pay Act over the next 10 years?
171000
115
What major civil rights legislation was introduced in 1963?
A civil rights bill
116
Who passed the 1963 Civil Rights Bill?
Lyndon B. Johnson
117
Why was the New Frontier arguably not new?
Much of JFK's legislation was simply amendments to existing laws and extensions of existing programs.
118
What concerns was Kennedy preoccupied by that limited his New Frontier?
Foreign policy concerns and Cold War tensions.
119
Give some examples of acts that Congress rejected.
Federal financial aid for education, Medicaid, tax cuts to stimulate the economy, and the civil rights bill (which got stuck in Congress).
120
Was JFK’s family rich?
Yes, he was born into wealth
121
How did JFK’s wealth help him?
It gave him a glamorous, confident appearance and funded an effective campaign
122
What political party did JFK belong to?
Democratic Party
123
Who was JFK’s wife?
Jackie Kennedy
124
How did Jackie Kennedy help his image?
She was glamorous and aspirational
125
What religion was JFK?
Catholic
126
What is the dominant religion in the U.S.?
Evangelical Protestant
127
What did JFK successfully hide from the public?
His serious health issues
128
What were JFK’s hidden health problems?
Addison’s disease, colitis, spinal compression fractures, chronic prostatitis
129
What drugs did JFK use to manage his health problems?
Painkillers and amphetamines
130
What did JFK call his fashionable New York physician?
Dr. Feelgood
131
What was JFK's wife’s name and how did she help him?
Jackie Kennedy; she was glamorous and aspirational
132
How did JFK handle the press?
He joked and maintained good relations with them
133
Who was JFK's vice president?
Lyndon Baines Johnson
134
Where was Lyndon Baines Johnson from?
Texas
135
How long had LBJ served in Congress before becoming vice president?
24 years
136
What did LBJ do after JFK was assassinated?
He became President of the United States and continued JFK's New Frontier policies.
137
What was the name of JFK’s younger brother who was in his cabinet?
Robert Kennedy
138
What role did Robert Kennedy have in the government?
He was JFK’s campaign manager and served as Attorney General.
139
What is the role of the Attorney General?
Head of the Justice Department
140
What job did RFK have before becoming Attorney General that made him qualified?
He was a lawyer
141
Did LBJ keep RFK on after JFK’s assassination?
Yes
142
What area of policy did Robert Kennedy have significant involvement in?
Civil rights
143
What problem did RFK cause in JFK’s cabinet?
His closeness to JFK caused resentment among others
144
Who was Robert McNamara?
JFK’s Secretary of Defense
145
What was McNamara’s political affiliation?
Republican
146
What previous jobs did McNamara have?
Head of Ford Motor Company; taught accountancy at Harvard
147
What area of expertise was McNamara devoted to?
Statistical analysis
148
What type of foreign policy did McNamara favor?
Military intervention
149
Was McNamara kept on by LBJ after JFK died?
Yes
150
What war is also known as “McNamara’s War”?
The Vietnam War
151
Who was JFK’s Secretary of State?
Dean Rusk
152
What did JFK refer to Dean Rusk as?
“A good errand boy”
153
Why did JFK appoint Dean Rusk?
JFK wanted personal control of foreign affairs and saw Rusk as a compliant figure.
154
Was Dean Rusk kept on by LBJ?
Yes
155
Did Dean Rusk have a good relationship with JFK?
No; he was a second-choice in foreign affairs and JFK didn’t value the Secretary of State role
156
Who was JFK’s brother-in-law in the administration?
Sargent Shriver
157
What religion was Sargent Shriver?
A devout Catholic
158
What role did JFK give Sargent Shriver?
He was in charge of the Peace Corps
159
What was Shriver’s previous job before leading the Peace Corps?
A trained lawyer
160
Was Sargent Shriver kept on by LBJ?
Yes
161
Name JFK’s National Security Advisor.
McGeorge Bundy
162
What previous roles did McGeorge Bundy have?
World War II intelligence officer and professor of government at Harvard
163
What two major foreign policy crises did Bundy have involvement in?
Cuba (Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis) and Vietnam
164
What was Bundy’s stance on Vietnam?
He advocated for increased U.S. involvement
165
What was the CEEO?
Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity
166
Who headed the CEEO?
Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ)
167
What was the purpose of the Interstate Commerce Commission under JFK?
To desegregate interstate travel
168
Why was Kennedy not too intense on civil rights?
He was a Northern Democrat aware of the risk of splitting his own party.
169
Who did the executive branch lack influence over?
Key members of Congress.
170
Why were JFK’s team of advisors unhappy?
They were young and idealistic, wanting a faster pace of change.
171
What has Kennedy been accused of?
Being more about style than substance.
